The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present two classical music lecture series centred on symphonies from October to December. Hosted by seasoned music practitioner Jimmy Shiu, the first series, "Beethoven 1-9", will delve into the nine symphonies composed by Beethoven from perspectives such as musical elements, compositional techniques and the contexts behind the works, exploring the enduring allure of these masterpieces. The second series, "Top 10 Romantic Symphonies", will feature a selection of representative works of the Romantic period, tracing the development of the symphony while offering insights into the creative intentions of the composers. 

     Details of each lecture are as follows:

Classical Music Lecture Series 1: "Beethoven 1-9"
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Venue: Cultural Activities Hall, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre
Time: 8pm

Lecture 1
Date: October 8 (Wednesday)
Content and compositions: …Inheriting the Past, "Symphony No. 1 in C" and "Symphony No. 2 in D"

Lecture 2
Date: October 15 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, 'Eroica'" and "Symphony No. 4 in B-flat"

Lecture 3
Date: October 22 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "Symphony No. 5 in C minor" and "Symphony No. 6 in F, 'Pastoral'"

Lecture 4
Date: October 29 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "Symphony No. 7 in A" and "Symphony No. 8 in F"

Lecture 5
Date: November 5 (Wednesday)
Content and composition: "Symphony No. 9 in D minor, 'Choral'", Ushering in the Future… 

Classical Music Lecture Series 2: "Top 10 Romantic Symphonies"
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Venue: Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Time: 8pm

Lecture 1: Past and Future
Date: November 13 (Thursday)
Compositions: Schubert's "Symphony No. 8 in B minor, 'Unfinished'" and Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique"

Lecture 2: German Tradition
Date: November 20 (Thursday)
Compositions: Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 4 in A, 'Italian'", Schumann's "Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, 'Rhenish'" and Brahms's "Symphony No. 1 in C minor"

Lecture 3: Two Giants
Date: November 27 (Thursday)
Compositions: Bruckner's "Symphony No. 7 in E" and Mahler's "Symphony No. 2 in C minor" 

Lecture 4: Slavonic Sound
Date: December 4 (Thursday)
Compositions: Dvořák's "Symphony No. 8 in G" and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6 in B minor, 'Pathétique'"

Lecture 5: Romance of the Twentieth Century
Date: December 11 (Thursday)
Compositions: Sibelius's "Symphony No. 2 in D minor" and Rachmaninov's "Symphony No. 2 in E minor"

     Shiu graduated from the Hong Kong Baptist College, where he majored in Composition. He then pursued further studies at the University of Sheffield, the United Kingdom, where he earned a double Master's degree in Composition and Vocal Performance. He has been invited to give lectures and serve as master of ceremonies at concerts. Shiu has published several works related to music appreciation, composition of sacred music (original and arrangements), and recently served as the writer of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's 50th anniversary publication.

     Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes and will be conducted in Cantonese. Tickets priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1903.html.

Ends/Friday, August 29, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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